THE DRIVE: Trump talks Assad; Rickles dies; Johnson out of Masters

Syrian leader may need to go, president says; king of insult comedy passes away at 90; world No. 1 doesn't tee off in Augusta; and other headlines for your drive home Thursday, April 6, 2017.

Staff Report

TRUMP HINTS AT MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SYRIA

President Donald Trump hinted at possible military action against Syria Thursday as his administration considered how to retaliate against President Bashar Assad after this week's chemical weapons attack that killed more than 80 people.

Trump — on the same day the Kremlin said Russian support for Assad is not unconditional — suggested strongly that Assad may have to leave power, and his comments were underscored by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who told reporters "there's no role for (Assad) to govern the Syrian people."

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DON RICKLES DIES AT 90

Don Rickles, the big-mouthed, bald-headed "Mr. Warmth" whose verbal assaults endeared him to audiences and peers and made him the acknowledged grandmaster of insult comedy, died Thursday. He was 90.

Rickles, who would have been 91 on May 8, suffered kidney failure and died Thursday morning at his home, said Paul Shefrin, his longtime publicist and friend.

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DUSTIN JOHNSON OUT OF MASTERS BEFORE TEEING OFF

He tried, but Dustin Johnson just couldn't get his body to cooperate. The world's top-ranked golfer withdrew just before reaching the tee box on the first hole at Aususta National, leaving behind a shot at the Masters title.

"I feel like in two days, I'll be fine," Johnson said.

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NUNES STEPS AWAY FROM RUSSIA PROBE

The Republican chairman is stepping aside from leading a congressional investigation of Russian interference in last year's U.S. presidential election, citing ethics complaints that he mishandled classified information.

The decision by Rep. Devin Nunes of California comes amid partisan turmoil on the House intelligence committee. Democrats have alleged that Nunes, who was on President Donald Trump's transition team, is too close to the White House and cannot lead an impartial inquiry.

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GOP USES 'NUCLEAR OPTION' TO PUSH THROUGH NOMINATION

Republicans invoked the "nuclear option" in the Senate Thursday, unilaterally rewriting the chamber's rules to allow President Donald Trump's nominee to ascend to the Supreme Court.

Furious Democrats objected until the end, but their efforts to block Judge Neil Gorsuch failed as expected. Lawmakers of both parties bemoaned the long-term implications for the Senate, the court and the country.

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